Much has been written about the ability to hit your tee shot to a fairway that is well left of the green. This fairway is absolutely required, for without it, the hole would be unfair for the shorter hitter. What makes the hole so great strategically, however, is the fact that just short of the green, the fairway is squeezed to five yards wide by two bunkers, and the ocean, on either side. Thus, if one decides to lay up, he must commit to laying up. There is no option to hit a "safe" shot when going for the green, as anything short will be in the bunkers or, more likely, the ocean. As a result, once the decision is made to go for the green, it is an all or nothing proposition. A "good miss" is likely to have the same result as a bad miss-- re-teeing.
The area sounding the green to the rear turns a spectacular looking hole into a breathtaking hole. These bunkers are not likely to come into play off of the tee (as they are 240+ yards away from the tee), but they do come into play for anyone who laid up off of the tee and is guarding against hitting short on their second shot. That being said, they are primarily there for an artistic purpose, and they serve that purpose well. If I could only play one more hole before I die, this would be the hole that I would choose.
Next best: Merion (East), Shinnecock Hills, Oakland Hills (South), National Golf Links of America, The Club at Black Rock, Bandon Dunes, Sand Hills, Pine Valley
Most likely to take its place, but have not yet played: None
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